Page 13 of Feels Like the First Time
Chapter 3
Hawk never knew what to expect when it came to Ali. Today was no exception. Which was why, when she pulled him close, within fighting distance, he’d braced himself—for the knee to the nuts, a direct hit to his masculinity. But no amount of bracing could have prepared him for just how big a punch that mouth of hers could pack.
When smart and brassy, it was a force to be admired. When warm and soft, and shyly pressed against his—it was damn lethal. So lethal it nearly short-circuited every wire in his brain.
But then he remembered that this wasn’t some puck bunny who had strolled into his bar looking for a good time. This was Ali—and her idea of a good time was being a never-ending pain in his ass.
So even though the feeling of her mouth on his was even more fan-fucking-tastic than he’d fantasized, he reminded himself that when it came to Ali, nothing was ever what it seemed.
Which was the only excuse he had for what he did next. Well, that and the fact that Hawk considered himself a damn fine player—on and off the ice. It was his ability to commit himself fully that made him such a formidable opponent. And the second those thick lashes fluttered shut, and Ali’s lips touched his—he was fully committed to whatever crazy challenge she was throwing his way this time.
Committed and determined to be the victorious one.
So when he felt her start to pull back, Hawk changed tactics, going from defensive to a fully offensive position. His hands slid around her back and held her to him, so tight that all of those soft girly parts she kept hidden under her tough girl attire were pressed firm against all of his hard manly ones. Then he held that kiss until he felt her start to squirm.
Nothing overtly outrageous, keeping it clean enough that to an outsider looking on it would appear to be two old friends sharing a chaste kiss.
Hawk was more than aware that his ex was standing a few yards away on the front porch where he’d first met her, courted her, got down on one knee, and offered her everything he had to give. The same front porch they’d shared their first kiss—and their last.
She was probably wearing one of her slinky dresses and complicated up-dos that drove him crazy, looking as gorgeous and out of his league as ever. Even when they’d been married, he’d always felt as if he was just a visitor in her world. Not an uncommon place for him to be, since Hawk didn’t belong in his own family, but a position he was determined to overcome.
Which was why he’d come home to Destiny Bay, and paid a fortune to ensure it remained Bridget-free. Because moving forward with a new life was impossible when the life he’d lost was teasing him at every turn.
Bridget loved Seattle and Hawk still loved Bridget, so when she asked for a divorce, he knew he’d need space that didn’t smell of failure and lost dreams. She’d get the cars, the house, the 401K, and an epic settlement.
He’d get Destiny Bay.
Only now she was back and he had his ex-sister-in-law in his arms. And that friendly peck she’d planted on him was inspiring a whole other kind of problem.
“What are you doing?” Ali whispered against his lips.
“What you told me to do.” He slowly opened his eyes—to find hers shooting daggers.
“I said follow my lead, not grab my ass,” she hissed, with a smile that was big and bold and so manufactured he wanted to laugh.
“Sunshine, my hands aren’t anywhere near your ass,” he said, noticing that maybe they’d slid a wee bit farther south than planned—but still within the realm of appropriate. “And since following your lead usually winds up with you kneeing me in the nuts, or a Sunday drive in the back of the sheriff’s car, I decided your lead, while always fun, is a little too unpredictable for my preference today.”
“I didn’t ask you what your preference was,” she said quietly, smacking his chest—moving him back a whole inch. “And I didn’t ask you to show up unannounced with a pie. But you’re here and so is she, and—”
A horn honked and Ali jumped.
“Shoot. Now Jamie’s here and is going to toot his horn all night. So here’s to you being over Bridget, because if not, shit is about to get real.” Ali looked over her shoulder at a pearl white Tesla and blew out a tight breath. “And the stench is going to be epic.”
Before he could ask how much more real things could possibly get, the asshat in the princess mobile spun his wheels before jamming it in Park—stopping inches from Ali’s legs.
“Watch out,” he said, taking her hands and easing her to the side. Then when the polo shirt with the loafers climbed out of the car, Hawk approached him, chin up, chest out.
“What the hell was that, Asshat?” he asked the prick whose name probably wasn’t Asshole, because based on the car and big-city shoes it was more likely Pierce or Kenneth, but Hawk didn’t give a shit. “One more inch and you would have hit her.”
“Sorry about that,” Asshat said, resting his arms on the hood of his car. “I wasn’t sure you knew I was there and I didn’t want to be late.” He shrugged. “I did honk.”
“You’re not late,” he heard Bridget say from the porch, moments before a soft scent of jasmine and vanilla blew past him and right into Asshat’s arms. “In fact, your timing couldn’t be any more perfect than if we planned it this way.”
“Besides missing the boating trip with my dad, you’re right on time,” Ali deadpanned, then crossed her arms in greeting.
Hawk wanted to smile at how fiercely she protected those she loved, but he was too busy trying to hold it together. Waiting for the sucker punch that always came with seeing his ex.
“That’s my sister, Aliana.” Bridget turned to face them. “And this is Bradley. Guys, this ismyJamie.”
